The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which sought to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The motions, dated March 20 and 25, 2025, contested a judgement delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu on March 10, 2025. That judgement had barred the Senate Committee from conducting any probe or disciplinary action against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
The legal dispute stemmed from a clash between Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan during a Senate session on February 20, 2025. In response, Senator Natasha sought judicial intervention, requesting an order to halt the committee’s probe and to nullify any action taken while the case was pending. The Federal High Court granted her request.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Akpabio appealed and asked for an extension of time to file a notice of appeal, as well as a stay of proceedings. However, during a court sitting on May 21, 2025, Akpabio’s legal representatives withdrew both applications.
The three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Hamma Barka, accepted the withdrawal and struck out the motions. The court also ordered Akpabio to pay ₦100,000 in legal costs to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The appeal number, CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025, was also expunged from the court's records.
Justices Adebukunola Banjoko and Okon Abang concurred with the lead judgment, marking a temporary end to Akpabio’s legal challenge against the earlier court ruling that shielded Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from Senate committee proceedings.
